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On Saturday, July 18th ten scouts and three adult leaders left for a week of camping
and hiking at Camp Ben Delatour Scout Ranch in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. When they arrived in Fort Collins, Co. the temperature was 111 degrees. The camp, about 30 miles
away, and in the mountains was about 10 degrees cooler. For the next four days they endured scorching heat and dust. On Wednesday it started to rain, on Thursday it rained, on Friday it rained, and on Saturday it finally stopped raining. Because of the lack of moisture, the prior two weeks, the camp was under a fire ban and no campfires were allowed all week. Also, there had been five bears spotted on the ranch and all smellables had to be placed into bear bags and secured daily.
The Scout Ranch had invested about five hundred thousand dollars into renovations last year. They updated the mess hall and built new latrines and showers, all state of the art. The food was plentiful and delicious, except for the Macaroni and Cheese, (see photo) with a variety of menus. The campsites were clean with walled tents and platform floors. Each tent had two metal bed frames with springs, (a mattress would have been nice.) Each site was close to the latrines and wash basins. The staff and merit badge counselors were friendly, helpful and willing to go out of their way to see that all the boys met their requirements and earned their merit badges. There were a number of camp commissioners who would make daily rounds to each site to see if everything was satisfactory. Overall, the facilities and staff were excellent.
Ben Delatour has excellent Advanced C.O.P.E., C.O.P.E. and Jr. C.O.P.E. programs. Eagle Scout Chad Vail earned his knot in Advanced C.O.P.E. Two scouts, Billy Gottsch and David Collins earned their knots in C.O.P.E. and scout Andy Lund earned his knot in Jr. C.O.P.E. The camp also offers rock climbing and scouts Billy Gottsch and Ben Briles earned their Climbing merit badge. Scout Brandon Vail shot 29 clays to earn his Shotgun Shooting merit badge. Good job, Brandon! Other merit badges earned at camp this year were:
Horsemanship...................Jason Brewer, Matt Parmenter, Brandon Vail and David Collins
Fish and Wildlife Management...Chad Vail and Paul Euteneuer
Emergency Preparedness.........Jason Brewer and Matt Parmenter
Space Exploration..............Matt Parmenter, Paul Euteneuer, Andy Lund and Eric Poole
Soil and Water Conservation....Chad Vail, Brandon Vail and Andy Lund
Indian Lore....................Chad Vail, Brandon Vail and Ben Briles
Wilderness Survival............Ben Briles
Canoeing.......................Ben Briles
Orienteering...................Andy Lund
Basketry.......................Paul Euteneuer, Brandon Vail and Andy Lund
Metalwork......................Billy Gottsch, Jason Brewer, Chad Vail, Paul Euteneuer, Brandon Vail, David Collins, Andy Lund and Eric Poole
Leatherwork....................Paul Euteneuer, David Collins and Eric Poole
Wood Carving...................Paul Euteneuer
Ten scouts earned a total of 39 merit badges at camp. Congratulations, to each and every boy, you did excellent.
On Friday morning, the troop took a whitewater rafting trip down the Cache La Poudre
river. The trip was 3 miles long with class 3 rapids and they rafted it twice. A good time was had by all. Jason Brewer and Matt Parmenter managed to fall out of the raft but were rescued by the other members of their team. On Friday night, a double eagle ceremony was held at the closing campfire. Afterward, the staff put on a patriotic musical, depicting the history of our country. It was a very heart warming and emotional program. Everyone said, this was one of the best closing campfires they had attended. Saturday, the troop checked out of camp and headed back home. This years camp was outstanding, all goals were met without injury or illness. A well done to all those to attended Camp Ben Delatour this year!
Troop 565*Troop Leaders*Scout Oath/Laws/Motto/Slogan*Camping/Hiking*Eagles*Patrols*Calandar
Tenderfoot Rank*Second Class*First Class*Star*Life*Eagle
